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Contaminated site information systems and Priority Sites Register

EPA contaminated site information systems

The Environmental Audit System has established by EPA as an authoritative means by which planning authorities, site owners, purchasers and others are provided assurance regarding the condition of a site and its suitability for use, frequently in the context of site redevelopment. Each audit will have a certificate or statement attached.

These systems are designed to assist in management of contaminated sites. Importantly, they also provide information and assurance to the public regarding the condition of certain sites.

Priority Sites Register

What are priority sites?
What is the Priority Sites Register?
Listing sites on the Priority Sites Register
Removing sites from the Priority Sites Register
Further information

What are priority sites?

Priority sites are sites for which EPA has issued a clean-up notice pursuant to section 62A or a pollution abatement notice pursuant to section 31A or 31B (relevant to land and/or groundwater) of the Environment Protection Act 1970. Typically these are sites where pollution of land and/or groundwater presents an unacceptable risk to human health or to the environment.

The condition of these sites is not compatible with the current or approved use of the site without active management to reduce the risk to human health and the environment. Such management can include clean-up, monitoring and/or institutional controls.

What is the Priority Sites Register?

EPA maintains the Priority Sites Register as a listing of all priority sites. The register is available to the public.

The Priority Sites Register is not a listing of all contaminated sites in Victoria, nor is it a list of all contaminated sites of which EPA has knowledge.

The Priority Sites Register does not list sites managed by voluntary agreements or sites subject to management by planning controls (for example sites managed in accordance with section 173 agreement under the Planning and Environment Act 1987). Land purchasers should be aware of these limitations and make their own enquiries.

Listing sites on the Priority Sites Register

A site is listed on the Priority Sites Register when EPA issues a clean-up notice or a pollution abatement notice (relevant to land and groundwater). A notice is a means by which EPA formalises requirements to manage pollution.

Notice conditions will often include a requirement that an environmental auditor, who is appointed under Part 1XD, section 53S(1) of the Environment Protection Act 1970, issues a Certificate or Statement of Environmental Audit for the site in accordance with Part 1XD of the Act.

Removing sites from the Priority Sites Register

Sites are removed from the Priority Sites Register once all conditions of a notice have been complied with. This is formalised through a notice of revocation pursuant to section 60B of the Act.

Further information

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